From Banaras with love, a 'kadhua' saree worth Rs 1.25 lakh for Michelle Obama

VARANASI: A Banarasi `kadhua' sari has been sent to New Delhi to be presented to US first lady Michelle Obama.

"Kadhua' sari, an intellectual property right product of the region that is facing extinction, has been dispatched from Varanasi for Michelle, who is arriving in India with her husband and US President Barack Obama to attend the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi.

“A signature handloom product of Varanasi, kadhua sari takes two to three months to complete by three people,“ said Abdul Matin, whose family has been into handloom weaving since three generations. “We came to know about Michelle Obama's fascination for Banarasi fabric through Frank Islam, a trusted man of Obama. He is a native of Azamgarh and himself an admirer of Banarasi handloom,“ Matin said.

The sari was sent to New Delhi through a special messenger, Matin said, without disclosing the identity . “The main objective of presenting the sari is to draw the attention of the international community to the mastery of weavers in producing such intricate and colourful designs,“ he said. The cream-coloured sari with cotton base and decorated with golden and silver zari work costs around Rs 1.25 lakh, he added.

The art of `kadhua' weaving is currently facing a stiff challenge from the powerloom sector.